Rotation responsive motorized hair curler

ABSTRACT

A curling iron having a handle, a heated barrel rotatable relative to the handle, a spring loaded clamp, and a motor coupled between the handle and the barrel and rotating the barrel in at least one of two directions relative to the handle. A motor control switch that enables and disables the rotation of the barrel and a rotation sensor coupled to the motor control switch to sense the initial direction of rotation of the handle. A motor control circuit is coupled to the motor, the motor control switch, and the rotation sensor, and the motor control circuit causes the barrel to rotate in an initial direction after rotation of the barrel has been enabled and rotation of the handle has been detected. The motor control circuit can cause the barrel to stop rotating once rotation of the barrel has thereafter been disabled.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/043,763 filed Aug. 29, 2014. The entirety of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to curling irons, and in particular, to an improved curling iron having a rotatable barrel.

BACKGROUND

Hairstyles are as unique as one's personality. One popular tool used by many to style their hair is that of the curling iron. It is commonly used to add style, body, flips, flair and the like to ones hair in a quick manner with a minimum of fuss. However, to do these tasks, one must grab a swath of hair in the curling iron and then turn the whole iron to twirl the hair around the heated barrel. This is a task that is easier said than done, especially for younger children, elderly, or those with diminished mobility in their arms. Many times, users cannot hold the iron long enough to effect a curl or turn the iron tight enough to create the desired curl. Additionally, some users can accidentally contact the hot heating barrel and become burned on their arms and hands while attempting to twirl the iron. Even if one does not burn themselves, the process of curling one's hair takes a valuable amount of time.

Further, curling irons exist wherein the barrel of the iron rotates. However, that is controlled solely either by a single switch for one direction or multiple switches, at least one for each direction. While more advanced than a basic curling iron, it still requires an unnatural sequence of actions to direct the rotation of the iron. Accordingly, there is a need for a curling iron that can ease the use of the iron for all users and still act in the typical series of motions for a user.

SUMMARY

Examples of the curling iron of the present invention can have a handle, a heated barrel, a spring loaded clamp having a spoon shaped paddle over the barrel for clamping a lock of a user's hair to the barrel, and an elongated lever extending towards the handle for positioning the paddle away from the barrel. A temperature control switch can control a temperature of the barrel and a display can indicate that temperature. The heated barrel can rotate relative to the handle by way of a motor coupled between the handle and the barrel. A motor control switch can enable and disable the rotation of the barrel. A rotation sensor can be coupled to the motor control switch to sense an initial direction of rotation of the handle after rotation of the barrel has been enabled by the motor control switch. Additionally, a motor control circuit can be coupled to the motor, and with the motor control switch, and the rotation sensor, the motor control circuit can cause the barrel to rotate in the initial direction after rotation of the barrel has been enabled and rotation of the handle has been detected, and can stop the rotation of the barrel once rotation of the barrel has thereafter been disabled.

In another example, the curling iron can further include a temperature control circuit including a temperature control switch separate from the motor control switch. The temperature control switch can control the temperature of the barrel. A display can also be included that indicates the desired and current temperatures. Further, the motor control circuit can also be coupled to the temperature control switch to establish a desired rotational speed for the barrel.

A further example of the curling iron can have the temperature control switch turning the iron on and off, and be used to select either a fast or slow rotational speed at the time when the iron is turned on, and prior to the selection of a desired barrel temperature. Another example has the display indicating the selected rotational speed.

Other examples include an annular rest surrounding the barrel at position adjacent the handle. The annular rest can have a lower portion configured to support the iron when not in use and an upper portion for coupling the clamp to the barrel. This allows the clamp t be maintained at a convenient position above the barrel when the iron is resting on a work surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This invention is described with particularity in the appended claims. The above and further aspects of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present teachings, by way of example only, not by way of limitation.

FIG. 1 is a front, top, left side perspective view of an example of a curling iron of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the curling iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left-side view of the curling iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the curling iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the curling iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a right-side cross-section view of the curling iron of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an example of a component diagram of the curling iron of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is another example of a component diagram of the curling iron of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram describing one example method of using the curling iron of the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an example of a motorized hair curling iron 100. The curling iron 100 can have a handle section 102 attached at one end to a barrel section 104. The two sections 102, 104 can be separated, in some examples, by a guard 106. The barrel section 104 can include a heated barrel 108 which has a cylindrical shape and is designed to contact and heat a user's hair. Further, on the barrel section 104, can be a spring loaded clamp 110 having a spoon shaped paddle 112 covering at least a portion of the barrel 108 which can clamp a lock of a user's hair to the heated barrel 108. An elongated lever 114 is attached at one end to the paddle 112 and can extend toward the handle section. The lever 114 allows the user to position the paddle 112 away from the barrel 108 when depressed. When the lever 114 is released, the paddle 112 can be positioned at its closest to, or in partial contact with, the barrel 108.

In some examples, the clamp 110 can be connected at the guard 106 and uses that connection point 116 as its fulcrum. Further, the guard 106 can include foot 118. The foot 118 can be a flattened section of the circular guard 106, or one more or more protrusions which allow the curling iron 100 to stay stationary on a generally flat surface. Given the circular nature of the handle section 102, the barrel section 104, and the guard 106, the foot 118 permits the user to put the curling iron 100 down and not have it roll. The foot 118 can be positioned approximately opposite (or, in some examples 180° from) the connection point 116. This allows the clamp 110 to always remain on the “top” of the curling iron 100. This can be important since the barrel section 104 with the clamp 110 rotates and may not be in line with the switches 122 and display 124 (discussed below) after a rotation. In other examples, the components of the curling iron 100, including the location of interior components and exterior features can be as such so that when the curling iron 100 is placed on the foot 118, the barrel section 104 is kept at a distance from the surface it is resting on.

Turning to the handle section 102, it can include a handle 120 for the user to grip while using the curling iron 100. Included on the handle 120 can be one or more switches 122. The switch 122, in one example, can have multiple functions, or multiple switches 122 (not illustrated) can be included as described below. The switch 122 can act as a power switch 122 a energizing and de-energizing the curling iron 100. The switch 122 can also act as a temperature control switch 122 b which can control a temperature of the heated barrel 104.

The handle 120 can also include one or more displays 124. Similar to the switch 122, the display 124 can indicate a number of different settings, or multiple displays 124 can be provided. The display 124 a can indicate if the curling iron is powered on and/or off. The display 124 b can also indicate the temperature setting of the barrel 108. The temperature display 124 b can indicate the barrel temperature numerous ways, including displaying a temperature (in Fahrenheit or Celsius) or displaying a setting indicator (for example, a number 1-5) which can correspond to a particular temperature of the barrel 108. The temperature display 124 b can be also be, in some examples, a series of LED lights, the sequence of which indicates increasing temperature settings, or the display 124 b can change colors to the same effect.

In a further example, the display 124 can be an audio-only display, with changes in pitches, tones, rapidity, and/or volume to denote any of the changes noted above. The display 124 can also be vibratory, with changes in frequency and intensity to denote any of the changes noted above. The display 124 can also be any combination of the above, wherein different display “mediums” can be used to denote different settings or the settings for different features as discussed herein.

The handle section 102 can also include a power cord 126 attached opposite the barrel section 104. This can supply power to the components described below.

FIG. 6 is a cross-section of an example of the curling iron 100 and illustrates some of the interior components. In the barrel section 104 are heating elements 200 which heat the heated barrel 108. In the handle section 102 there can be a motor 202 coupled between the handle 120 and the barrel 108. Also note that the motor 202 can be mounted in the barrel section 104. The motor 202 can rotate the heated barrel 108 with respect to the handle 120 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction relative to a longitudinal axis 204 running through the curling iron 100. The motor 202 can also have one or more different rotational speeds. In one example, the motor 202 can be a typical 3-phase motor wherein a change in phase can change the rotation direction of the motor 202.

A motor control switch 206 can be disposed on the handle section 102 and can enable and disable the operation of the motor 202. A rotation sensor 208 can be coupled to the motor control switch 206 and can sense an initial direction of rotation of the handle 120 after rotation of the barrel 108 has been enabled by the motor control switch 206. The rotation sensor 208 can be gyroscopic or any other sensor known to those or ordinary skill to detect rotational movement.

In an example, the rotation sensor 208 and the motor 202 interface directly. However, alternately, a motor control circuit 210 can be coupled to the motor 202, the motor control switch 206, and the rotation sensor 208. The motor control circuit 210 can cause the barrel 108 to rotate in the initial direction after rotation of the barrel 108 has been enabled and rotation of the handle 120 has been detected, and can stop the rotation of the barrel 108 once rotation of the barrel 108 has thereafter been disabled. See FIG. 7.

Further, the motor control circuit 210 can monitor the current delivered to the motor 202, at least while the motor is active. If the motor control circuit 210 detects a high current draw, that is a current draw either below or equal or above or equal to a preset threshold, the motor control circuit 210 stops the motor 202. A high current draw can be an indication that the motor 202 is stuck, likely in the user's hair, and the motor 202 is stopped as a safety precaution so as to not tear out the user's hair. If the detected current remains at a normal state, e.g. below the preset threshold, then the motor 202 can be stopped only when the user releases the motor control switch 206.

In one example of enabling the motor 202, the motor control switch 206 does not actually start the motor 202, it allows the motor 202 to be activated to rotate the barrel 108 in one of the two directions. The user depresses the motor control switch 206 and then rotates her wrist in a typical motion used to curl hair. The rotation sensor 208 detects the direction of the rotation imparted to the curling iron 100 by the user and provides that input to the motor control circuit 210. The motor control circuit 210 then directs the motor 202 to rotate the barrel 108 in the same direction. In this way, the motor 202 assists in the curling of the user's hair without the user having to maintain the curling action. Once the initial rotation direction is imparted to the barrel 108, the user does not have to maintain a rotational force on the handle 120. In one example, the user must continue to activate the motor control switch 206 for the motor 202 to continue to rotate the barrel 108. Once the motor control switch 206 is deactivated, the motor 202 can stop.

Another example rotates the barrel section 104 along with the guard 106. Thus, in practice with the curling iron, the user depresses the switch 122 to power on the curling iron 100, and maybe set the temperature. The user depresses the lever 114, displacing the paddle 112 from the barrel 108, and places a lock of hair between the paddle 112 and the barrel 108. Releasing the lever 114 traps the lock in place. The user now depresses and holds the motor control switch 206 and rotates her wrist either toward or away from her face (thus imparting a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation to the handle 120). The rotation sensor 208 detects the direction of the rotation, informs the motor control circuit 210 that then instructs the motor 202 to rotate in the same direction as detected. When the user is done curling that particular lock, she releases the motor control switch 206 to stop the motor 202.

A further example of the curling iron 100 allows the user to set the speed of rotation, which in one example can be fast or slow. The switch 122 can be a motor speed switch 122 c or the speed can be determined from the motor control switch 206. In addition, the display 124 can be a rotation speed display 124 c to display at least two speed settings. FIG. 8 illustrates a simplified schematic of the components above.

Turning next to yet another example, the curling iron 100 can have a 1.5 inch diameter barrel 108, five heat settings and two speed settings. Turning to the heat settings, the barrel temperature can range from 127° C.-210° C. Particular examples of the setting temperatures can be as follows:

Setting 1=127° C.-±10° C.;

Setting 2=149° C.-±10° C.;

Setting 3=177° C.-±10° C.;

Setting 4=199° C.-±10° C.; and

Setting 5=210° C.-±10° C.

These temperatures are generated by the heating elements 200. The elements 200 need to be heated to a slightly higher temperature to impart the specific temperatures to the barrel 108, in one example, these temperatures can be:

Setting 1=132° C.-±10° C.;

Setting 2=154° C.-±10° C.;

Setting 3=182° C.-±10° C.;

Setting 4=204° C.-±10° C.; and

Setting 5=215° C.-±10° C.

The motor 202, in one example, can have two speeds, a low and high. Low speed can indicate a rotation of about 30 rpm and high speed can indicate a rotation of about 60 rpm. In addition, the clamp 110 can have a clamp force of approximately 325 g at three points (front, mid rear) under the paddle 112.

Given the above, FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a method of using the curling iron 100 of the present invention. To begin, the user plugs the curling iron 100 into a power supply (step 900) and then depresses switch 122, acting as power switch 122 a (step 902). A quick press (in one example approximately 0.2 seconds) of the switch 122, now acting as motor speed switch 122 c, sets the rotation speed of the barrel 108 to a fast setting (in one example, approximately 60 rpm)(step 904) or a long press (in one example, approximately 2.0 seconds) to a slow setting (in one example, approximately 30 rpm)(step 906). In this example, once the speed is set, the barrel 108 begins to heat, using heating elements 200, to its last set temperature (step 908). The user now has at least two options, one of which is to change the last set temperature, and the other is to begin curling hair.

Taking the “curling hair” branch first, the user presses the motor control switch 206 (step 910) and either holds it (step 912) or give it at least 2 quick presses (step 914). Holding the motor control switch 206 enables user rotation detection via the rotation sensor 208 (step 912) and can set the current position to zero, i.e. the point from which all future rotation is determined. Once enabled, the rotation sensor 208 detects the rotation of the user's wrist vis-à-vis the rotation of the handle section 102 (step 916). Once detected, the motor 202 rotates in the matching direction to the detected rotation, either clockwise or counterclockwise (step 918). While rotating, the motor control circuit 210 can monitor the current draw of the motor 202 (step 920). As above, if there is a high draw state, that is a current draw either below or equal or above or equal to a preset threshold, the motor control circuit 210 stops the motor (step 922). A high current draw can be an indication that the motor 202 is stuck, likely in the user's hair, and the motor 202 can be stopped as a safety precaution so as to not tear out the user's hair. If the detected current remains at a normal state, e.g. below the preset threshold, then the motor is stopped only when the user releases the motor control switch 206 (step 924).

Following the other “curling” option, the at least two quick presses disables (or does not enable) user rotation detection and activates the motor 202 to rotate only in one direction (step 926). In one example it can be preset to one of the clockwise or counterclockwise direction. In another example, the user can set a default direction. The barrel 108 rotates at least one 360° turn (step 928) and then stops (step 922). From the motor stop step (step 922) the user has the option to reengage the motor 202 by again pressing motor control switch 206 (step 910) to trigger either two modes.

Turning to the temperature selection branch, once the switch 122 is depressed for the initial speed setting (step 902) (acting as motor speed switch 122 c), if the switch is pressed again, the switch then acts as the temperature control switch 122 b (step 930). At least two quick presses of the switch 122 b puts the device into temperature selection mode (step 932) which allows the user to depress the temperature control switch 122 b to set the desired temperature (step 934). Once set, the barrel 108 heats to the selected temperature (step 936). If the temperature control switch 122 b is depressed for a long duration, the curling iron 100 is powered off (step 938). Note that if the switch 122 is not pressed after the speed selection step (step 902), the device retains its last temperature setting (step 940) and heats to that temperature (steps 908,936). The user then has the option to reselect the temperature or engage the motor control switch 206 as described above.

Note, for the above method, that it is presumed that at some point in the process, the user separates some hair and engages that hair between the heated barrel 108 and the paddle 112 of the clamp 110 so that it can be heated and curled. Exactly when in the process that happens is arbitrary to the user, however, there is a high likelihood it happens before step 910. These steps are presumed but not necessary to the functioning of the curling iron as claimed.

In addition to the above examples, another variant can be that the barrel section 104 is removably attached to, i.e. can be disconnected from and reattached to, the handle section 102. This allows different diameter barrels 108 to be interchanged onto the device. The barrels 108 can vary in diameter from 0.75 inch to 1.75 inch and can be straight or tapered. In the tapered example, the barrel 108 can vary in diameter across any two points within the above range, for example between 0.75 inches at a point distal from the handle section 102 and 1.25 inches at a point proximal to the handle section 102. Further, the spring loaded clamp 110 and/or the guard 106 can be sized to match the various diameters of the barrel 108. While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that the teachings may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all applications, modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present teachings. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A curling iron comprising: a handle; a heated barrel rotatable relative to the handle; a spring loaded clamp comprising: a spoon shaped paddle over the barrel clamping a lock of hair to the barrel; and an elongated lever extending towards the handle for positioning the paddle away from the barrel; a motor coupled between the handle and the barrel and rotating the barrel in at least one of two directions relative to the handle; a motor control switch enabling and disabling the rotation of the barrel; a rotation sensor coupled to the motor control switch sensing the initial direction of rotation of the handle after rotation of the barrel has been enabled by the motor control switch; and a motor control circuit coupled to the motor, the motor control switch, and the rotation sensor, wherein the motor control circuit causes the barrel to rotate in an initial direction after rotation of the barrel has been enabled and rotation of the handle has been detected, and wherein the motor control circuit causes the barrel to stop rotating once rotation of the barrel has thereafter been disabled.
 2. The curling iron of claim 1 further comprising: a temperature control switch controlling temperature of the barrel; a display indicating at least one of the temperature set by the temperature control switch, a desired temperature and a current temperature; a temperature control circuit controlling the temperature of the barrel; and wherein the motor control circuit is also coupled to the temperature control switch to establish a desired rotational speed for the barrel.
 3. The curling iron of claim 2, wherein the temperature control switch is also used to turn the iron on and off, and either a fast or a slow rotational speed is selected when the iron is turned on prior to the selection of the desired barrel temperature.
 4. The curling iron of claim 3, wherein the display also indicates the selected rotational speed.
 5. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a guard surrounding the barrel at position adjacent the handle, the guard comprising: a foot configured to support the curling iron; and a connection point coupling the clamp to the barrel, whereby the clamp is maintained approximately opposite a work surface when the curling iron is resting on the work surface.
 6. The curling iron of claim 1, further comprising a current monitor monitoring the current draw of the motor at least during rotation, wherein if the monitored draw is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, stopping the rotation of the motor.
 7. The curling iron of claim 6, wherein if the monitored draw is less than a preset threshold value, permitting the motor to continue to function.
 8. The curling iron of claim 1, wherein the heated barrel is removably attached to the handle.
 9. The curling iron of claim 8, wherein the heated barrel includes a plurality of heated barrels each having a different diameter and being one of straight and tapered.
 10. A method of curling hair using a curling iron having a handle, a heated barrel rotatable relative to the handle, a spring loaded clamp capable of clamping a lock of hair to the barrel, a motor coupled between the handle and the barrel and rotating the barrel in at least one of two directions relative to the handle, a motor control switch for enabling and disabling the rotation of the barrel, and a rotation sensor coupled to the motor control switch, comprising the steps of: selecting, using the motor control switch, one of enabling and disabling the rotation sensor; selecting, using the motor control switch, one of enabling and disabling rotation of the barrel; sensing the initial direction of rotation of the handle after rotation of the barrel has been enabled by the motor control switch; and rotating the barrel to rotate in the initial direction after rotation of the barrel has been enabled and rotation of the handle has been detected.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of setting a rotation speed of the motor to rotate the barrel.
 13. The method of claim 10, wherein when the selecting step disables the rotation sensor, the method further comprises the step of rotating the barrel in only one of the clockwise or counterclockwise direction.
 14. The method of claim 10, further comprising the steps of: monitoring a current draw of the motor; and if the monitored draw is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value, stopping the rotation of the motor.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein if the monitored draw is less than a preset threshold value, permitting the motor to continue to function.
 16. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of replacing the barrel with a second barrel. 